IGA-353M: Middle East Field Study Course: Humanitarian Negotiations on the Frontlines

Schedule

Day

Time

Location

Term Start Date

1/2

Meet Day

M/T/W/Th/F

9:00 AM -
5:00 PM

Review

Description

The purpose of the Winter Field Study Course in the Middle East
is to bring graduate students to examine strategic and practical
approaches for navigating the challenges and dilemmas of some of
the most complex political and humanitarian issues in the Middle
East region. In 2017, it will focus on specific dilemmas associated
to negotiations related to the provision of humanitarian assistance
and protection in conflict situations in the Middle East. Through
direct interviews with the main actors of recent and emblematic
humanitarian negotiations, students will explore the tensions and
dilemmas associated with migration policies in crisis, refugee
protection, humanitarian access, and the monitoring of the
implementation of international legal norms. The course will
explore current trends and challenges related to humanitarian
negotiation and mediation processes in order to better understand
the response (from local NGOs, humanitarian organizations,
government, religious groups, private sector, etc) to
vulnerabilities of populations affected by conflict. The
course is organized as a means to furthering professional dialogue
on complex issues and fostering exchanges between graduate students
and practitioners in the region. Enrollment is limited and all
candidates must be interviewed and selected by the Instructor prior
to enrolling in the course. Detailed information about the
application process and timeline will be provided. For more
information on the modeling of the field study course, please see
the following documentary on the 2015 edition of the course in
Jordan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9duoGtnh2c

Also offered by the School of Public Health as GHP 543. The
course spans over two compulsory weekend sessions in the fall, a
campus-based week in early January, a two-week field assessment
mission in the Middle East, and an optional weekend wrap up in the
Spring. The location of the field assessment will be determined in
November 2016 (please note this HSPH course ends after the HKS
January term dates). Please note the estimated cost per student for
this course will be approximately $3,000. This covers
transportation and accommodation for students on location during
the course dates. It does not cover airfare or visa.